Bathroom Fans

Bathroom Extractor Fans Buyer's Guide

Building Regulations:

Building regulations require the installation of bathroom extractor fans in all new bathrooms and toilets. Gil-Lec also recommends the installation of bathroom extractor fans in existing rooms, thereby reducing condensation, the possibility of damp, and to remove unpleasant odours.
 
All bathroom extractor fans on our website meet or exceed the minimum extraction rate (15 litres per second) set out in the current building regulations.

Bathroom Zones:

For electrical installation purposes, the bathroom is divided into 3 zones: 0,1 and 2. Zone 0 is classified as in the bath. Zone 1 extends vertically 2.25m above the bath or shower base. Zone 2 extends in all directions for 0.6m from zone 1.
 
In zone 1 or 2 of a bathroom you can install either:
 
1)     A SELV (Safety Extra Low Voltage) bathroom extractor fan, with the transformer sited outside of zone 2.
2)     One of Airflow’s revolutionary Quiet Air bathroom extractor fans: a range of elegant, discreet and supremely quiet IP45 rated bathroom extractor fans. Although these are mains voltage fans, they are suitable for installing into zone 1 or 2 of a bathroom.
 
Outside of zone 2 of a bathroom, you need only install a mains voltage bathroom extractor fan.

Types of Bathroom Extractor Fans:

There are 3 main types of bathroom extractor fan:
 
1)     Axial Fans (most common). These can either be mounted directly into a wall or window, or a ceiling with a short duct run.
2)     Centrifugal Fans. These generally more powerful fans are often ceiling mounted, as they are able to overcome the air pressure resistance created by longer duct runs.
3)     Inline fans. These can be either axial or centrifugal, and are housed in the loft space above the bathroom between 2 lengths of ducting. Since the fan itself is sited outside of zones 1 or 2, inline fans are suitable to be installed with the extraction outlet above the bath or shower in zone 1 or 2.

Bathroom Extractor Fan Sizes:

Bathroom extractor fans generally come in 2 sizes, 4” (100mm) or 6” (150mm). Unless your bathroom is more than 3m², a 4” extractor fan will normally suffice.

Noise Levels:

Most bathroom extractor fans operate between 25dB (almost silent) and 45dB. The noise levels for each fan are stated on the product information on each individaul product page.

Operation:

Bathroom extractor fans can be operated by various methods. Most bathroom extractor fans on our website have a series of letters after the model number to indicate the method of operation:
1)     P: Pullcord. The fan is operated via bathroom light switch or integral pullcord.
2)     T: Timer. The over-run timer keeps the fan running for a pre-set length of time after the fan has been turned off to ensure elimination of condensation / odours.
3)     H: Humidistat. The fan turns on automatically when the humidity in the room reached a pre-determined level. Great for bath or shower rooms, and does not rely on the fan being turned on by someone turning on the light switch.
4)     PIR: Passive infrared sensor. The fan turns on automatically when a person enters the room.
 
Some bathroom extractor fans also come with internal backdraft shutters to prevent cold air entering the bathroom via the fan when it is not in use. 

Positioning the fan:

Bathroom extractor fans work best when sited opposite the door to allow air to circulate through the room from the door to the fan. They should also be sited as high as possible (a minimum of 1.8m from the floor).  

Recommended Bathroom Extractor Fans

1. All round best bathroom extractor fan: Airflow QuietAir. Because: It is powerful, very quiet, low energy and IP45 rated is suitable for all bathroom zones.
2. Best Looking bathroom extractor fan: Airflow Icon with the 'opening eye louvres', Vent Axia Silhouette - super slim, Manrose Deco, Airflow QuietAir
3. Most Powerful bathroom extractor fan: Axial 4 inch: GET GFAN4T 93m3/hr. Centrifugal 4 inch : Vent Axia ACM100T 220m3/hr
4. Best Value for Money: GET GFAN4T: 93m3/hr - £14.79 inc vat!